Gloucestershire Masonic Housing Committee

The Gloucestershire Masonic Housing Committee was formed in March 1999 to administer and control flats purchased by the Provincial Grand Charity of Gloucestershire. The Charity bought 9 flats in Castlemeads Court, Westgate Street, Gloucester in February and the Committee proceeded to seek suitable occupants. The following open letter was written to all masonic Lodges and other formations in the Province (County) of Gloucestershire:

The Gloucestershire Masonic Housing Committee has been charged by the Provincial Grand Charity of Gloucestershire, in their capacity as Trustees, to administer and control the Trustees' flats in Castlemeads Court, Westgate Street, Gloucester. There are 9 flats which are available for rent in this splendid development of retirement homes, with easy access to shops, Cathedral and all facilities. Applications for tenancies are now invited.

The Trustees and Committee wish to stress that Almoners and individual applicants who wish to apply for tenancy of the flats should not be discouraged from applying because it appears that their circumstances do not exactly meet the published criteria, but permit the Trustees to consider every case submitted.

The Trustees and Committee will use, as a guide when considering applications, the following criteria:-
    1. The applicants should be elderly Freemasons and/or their dependants, of limited means, and in housing need.
    2. They, or their spouse, shall have been members of a Lodge, Chapter, Preceptory etc that is a subscribing member of the Gloucestershire Masonic Charities Association.
    3. They shall be capable of maintaining an independent and active lifestyle taking full advantage of the facilities available.
    4. The applicants shall be of good character. The Committee reserves the right to request references.
    5. They should not have made gifts of capital in the previous 3 years, the possession of which would otherwise disqualify them.
    6. They shall not be in full time paid employment.
    7. Applications will be dealt with in the order in which they are received.

Application forms for tenancies, as well as further information, are now available from the Clerk at the address below. Appointments to view the flats, by intending applicants only, can be made with the Housing Manager at Castlemeads Court. The Committee will be arranging viewing sessions for other interested parties at a later stage, which will be publicised.

So far (June 1999) 3 flats have been let and there are other enquiries that are being pursued and we expect that all the flats will be let by the end of 1999.

Further enquiries about the flats are welcome to the clerk to the Committee R C Blakemore Forest Gate Huntley Glos GL19 3EU telephone 01452-831192 or e-mail housing@huntley-glos.demon.co.uk.